Light and Shadow 6: The Shadow’s Threat

Light and Shadow 6: The Shadow’s Threat

I wasn’t enrolled in that academy because Mimi didn’t want me to. Since it was mandatory for someone like me to enroll in Stanford Academy, she had no choice but to teach me how to control my power for me to avoid entering the academy.

Since only those who haven't learned to control their powers are mandated to enroll in the academy. Mimi and Nana were also close friends of Headmistress Fe, which I thought first before why the headmistress didn’t urge me to enter Stanford Academy.

Regardless of their protocols, but now, learning about Mimi being the headmistress of a prestigious academy in the Luminous Realm, I guess that’s the true reason why. We only visited Stanford Academy when necessary.

And I think Mimi and Nana will only visit there again to discuss with Headmistress Fe about us crossing to the Luminous Realm. I still don’t know when we’ll leave, yet since I’m so excited, I already packed some of my things last night.

Which is why I haven’t read the books Mimi gave last night to me yet. I guess there are still things to settle before crossing the realm, and maybe we’ll stay here more for about a week. But I’m thinking about Azriel, that’s why I’m coming along with Mimi and Nana to talk to him.

“Headmistress Fe said through a magic device that the hybris demons had become more aggressive recently, making it difficult for them to handle,” I heard Nana say as we were already on our way.

In the Luminous Realm, magic devices serve as a crucial means of communication. These devices, born from the realm’s magical energy, allow individuals to connect across vast distances.

They are essential tools for maintaining contact, sharing information, and coordinating efforts, particularly for those living in remote areas, just like Stanford Academy, which is surrounded by a magical force field, that blocks the transmission of normal cellular signals.

Especially, due to the magical force field surrounding Stanford Academy, normal cell phones are ineffective for communication. The academy’s isolation ensures that students and faculty can focus on their studies and training without external distractions.

Instead, they rely on specialized magic devices designed to function within the academy’s magical environment. These devices allow for seamless communication and coordination among the academy’s members.

And of course, we also possess one.

Nana was in the passenger seat, while Mimi was driving, and I was in the back seat, planning to read one of the books Mimi had given me. But I paused when I heard what she said, and I couldn’t help but think back about what had happened yesterday that they didn’t know about yet.

“Perhaps something happened that triggered their aggressive behavior,” I heard Mimi sigh. “That’s also a problem, and they must investigate the reason why the hybris demons are behaving like that these days. It was quite disturbing,” she continued while her eyes still focused on the road.

“Or maybe the Shadowfells are orchestrating this, so the royal families will prioritize this matter and neglect looking for the Supreme Guardians,” Nana assumed, and I couldn’t help but agree silently.

These demons are comparable to vampires. Blood is their life force, but only immortal blood, especially if they are royalty. While they may just be hunting the blood of immortals, this doesn’t lessen the threat they pose to mortals.

They can also harm mortals, which is why there are immortals living here to protect them from these hybris demons. Unfortunately, even immortals can sometimes fall victim to these dangerous creatures.

These immortals chose to reside here despite the challenges of blending in among mortals. After all, this isn’t their realm; this isn’t our realm. Although we have our own, some immortals have chosen to settle here, similar to us.

Immortals who want to live a normal life.

“Maybe, maybe not…” Mimi said, stopping the car at a red light. “I don’t know, Romina, but I have an ominous feeling that the Shadowfells are hiding something sinister. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so confident in challenging the royal families,” Mimi’s voice was filled with worry and concern, and it was the first time I had heard her like this.

The car fell silent until Nana turned to me as Mimi started to maneuver the car again. “Have your guardians reached out to you yet?” Nana asked, and I only shook my head, telling her that they hadn’t reached out to me yet.

They both sighed in unison, “Maybe they’re also being extra careful not to be detected by the enemies,” I suggested, thinking about my guardians.

Now that I’m slowly becoming aware of what’s happening, I can’t help but recall what Mimi told me when I discovered my power: ‘Being a supernatural being is complicated.’ It’s great that you have power, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s also a disaster.

And I suppose that’s the reason why Mimi wants to provide me with a normal life, even though it’s impossible. However, there are some things that, no matter how hard we try, will still find their way to us, and we have no control over them.

Something Mimi is unable to prevent.

The car fell silent again, allowing me to read the first page—the title of the book: The Tale of Luminous Realm. It was a catchy phrase that immediately piqued my interest. I gazed down at the worn, leather-bound book, its pages yellowed with age.

The book itself was an antique, its cover thick, and adorned with intricate gold filigree that seemed to shimmer faintly with an otherworldly glow. Despite its simple appearance, there was something undeniably magical about it.

The intricate gold lettering seemed to shimmer as if casting a spell over the cover. The pages were thick and crisp, each one filled with swirling, ethereal handwriting that seemed to dance across the parchment.

As I turned the first page, a faint, ethereal glow emanated from the words, drawing me deeper into the mysterious world within. I felt a sense of anticipation and wonder as if I were about to embark on a magical journey through a realm I had only dreamed of.

As I started reading, I just found myself being drawn into a world of magic and mystery, as the words seemed to dance before my eyes. It was as if the book itself held a secret power, waiting to be unlocked, and introducing me to the realm I had been eager to learn.

The realm that had been waiting for me.

***